# Bulgarian political dispute over UN Ukraine statement > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/bulgarian-political-dispute-over-un-ukraine-statement > Updated: 2026-09-27T01:56:47.000Z. Sources: 17. Developments: 2. A political dispute has emerged in Bulgaria regarding the country’s involvement in a joint United Nations political statement supporting Ukraine. The controversy stems from conflicting signals between President Iliyana Yotova and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs concerning the nation’s official stance. President Yotova clarified that she did not personally sign the statement, noting it was a joint announcement sent to member states prior to the UN General Assembly, which left Bulgaria no opportunity to propose amendments or express reservations. She emphasized her position that “there is no military solution for Ukraine” and that peace requires the participation of both Ukraine and Russia. While the Ministry of Foreign Affairs maintained that Bulgaria supported the statement to uphold European unity, it acknowledged that the national position was not fully reflected in the text. During the UN General Assembly, Yotova further clarified that the document was an “informal statement rather than an official UN resolution.” She noted that she declined to participate in a group photograph with 40 other nations because the text did not sufficiently reflect Bulgaria’s specific position. Political opposition has intensified the debate. Asen Vassilev, leader of the ‘We Continue the Change’ party, criticized the President’s actions as an “absolute mistake” that undermines Bulgaria’s international prestige, arguing that the discrepancy between the President and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs creates confusion. Meanwhile, members of the ‘Progressive Bulgaria’ party characterized the controversy as “unnecessary and politically motivated” by upcoming elections. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-27: Iliyana Yotova faces criticism over UN Ukraine statement Bulgarian President Iliyana Yotova faces criticism from political opponents after distancing herself from a UN-related statement on Ukraine, citing a need to reflect Bulgaria's specific diplomatic stance. 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bulgaria-political-debate-over-un-ukraine-declaration ### 2026-09-24: Bulgaria faces political dispute over UN Ukraine statement Bulgarian President Iliana Yotova has distanced herself from a UN joint statement supporting Ukraine, sparking a political dispute with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs over conflicting national positions. 11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bulgaria-clarifies-position-on-un-ukraine-declaration --- Cite as: Bulgarian political dispute over UN Ukraine statement. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/bulgarian-political-dispute-over-un-ukraine-statement